Cultivator and bed shaver arrangement for tractors



July 13, 1954 w. 1 .v wlEMl-:RSLAGE 2,683,405

CULTIVATOR AND BED SHAVER ARRANGEMENT. FOR TRACTORS Filed Sept. 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sie @MMM

July 13, 1954 w. l.. wlEMERsLAGE 2,683,405

CULTIVATOR AND BED SHAVER ARRANGEMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed Sept. 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6s 56 57 J6 69 sa 93 4 93 sa 77 az an 77 26 26 f. JM.

@wm/Mom Patented July 13, 1954 OFFICE CULTIVATO'R AND BED SHAVER ARRANGE- MEN T FOR TRACTGRS Walter L. Wiemerslage, La Crosse, Wis., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application September 20, 1948, Serial No. 50,064

claims. l

This invention relates generally to vehicle propelled implements and is more particularly concerned with and has as an object the mounting of an implement on any suitable traveling support, hereinafter referred to as a tractor, so that the working depth of at least one tool is eifectively gauged by variations in the ground surface traveled by a dirigible tractor support and so that the Working depth of at least one other tool is eifectively and independently gauged by variations in the ground surface laterally of said dirigible support.

In the cultivation of row crops planted in generally flat-topped beds separated by a ditch or furrow therebetween, it has heretofore been customary to mount a tool rig in underslung relation to the tractor, the tool rig including weeding knives, bed Shavers, and an element, such as a wheeLadjustably secured to the rig and arranged to travel on the top surface of the bed for gauging the working depth of both the weeding knives and bed Shavers. However, these prior arrangements have not been entirely satisfactory as the depth "of the separating furrow usually varies considerably, and, as a result, the bed Shavers either dig into the bottom of the furrow or trim or shave only a portion of the side wall of the bed. These results are undesirable and should be avoided since the digging action of the bed Shavers frequently raises the rig relative to the tractor, thus negativing the effect of the rig carried gauge element and making it extremely difcult, if not impossible, to maintain a uniform depth of weeding knife soil penetration, and since failure to properly shave or trim the side walls of a bed permits water flowing in the separating furrow, whether it be for drainage or irrigation purposes, tovmore readily erode or otherwise undermine the sidewalls of the bed and cause the overlying portions of the bed to break away and fall into the furrow, thus decreasing the depth of thel adjacent portion thereof and/or eventu ally destroying the top surface of the bed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved tractor propelled bed cultivating and shaving machine; and more particularly one wherein weeding knives or other bed cultivating tools are `positioned to work the top surface of a bed between ditches; wherein one or more bed shaving tools are positioned to (Cl. .S7-47.43)

work the sides of said bed, and wherein the bed top cultivating tools are gauged automatically and independently of the bed shaving tools in accordance with vertical undulations of said bed top surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bed cultivating and shaving machine of the above mentioned character wherein the bed shaving tools are subject to gauging by the tractor front wheels in accordance to vertical undulations of the ditch bottom surfaces traveled by the tractor wheels.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bed cultivating and shaving machine of the above mentioned character wherein the working positions of the bed cultivating tools and of the bed shaving tools are adjustable independently of each other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved bed cultivating and shaving machine of the above mentioned character which lends itself to work simultaneously on two or more beds and wherein the working positions of all of the bed shaving tools may be simultaneously adjusted without affecting the adjusted positions of the bed cultivating tools.

Additional objects and advantages will become readily apparent as the disclosure progresses and particularly sets forth the construction and operation of an illustrative apparatus embodying the invention. And, accordingly, the present invention may be considered as comprising the various constructions and combinations hereinafter more fully set forth in the detailed description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an illustrative tractor implement combination with the near side front wheel and bed shaver removed;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the forward portion of the tractor implement combination shown in Fig. 1 with parts omitted in the interest of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the tractor implement combination, shown in Fig. 2, with additional parts omitted to better show the general arrangement of the various tools;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating in detail a construction affording lateral adjustment of the implement support lift arm; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line V-V of Fig. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, i have shown my invention as applied in the cultivation of row crops planted in generally nat-topped beds formed by ditches or furrows therebetween. The tractor element of the combination has a rear axle structure l mounting a pair of laterally spaced ground engaging traction wheels 2 at opposite ends thereof. A rearwardly projecting frame part 3 mounts the engine :i in rearwardly overhung relation with respect to axle structure I, and a tubuiar frame part 3 extends forwardly from axle structure l to mount an operators seat 'i' in elevated relation thereto immediately in advance of engine d. A pair of laterally spaced upwardly arched tubular frame members 3 have their rear ends rigidly united with a transverse part 9 which, in turn, is xedly secured to the forward end of central frame part 5. The transverse iront axle structure It is secured to forward end portions of tubular frame members 8 andsupported on a pair of laterally spaced dirigible front wheels H. It is to be understood, of course, that the tractor is provided with the usual opv erator actuated controls (not shown).

The front axle. structure includes a U-shapedL bar i2 having legs terminating in forwardly turned portions I3 which are rigidly secured beneath forward end portions of the tubular frame members 8, bar l2 being transversely disposed thereby in depending bracing relation to said members. A rigid elongated bar Id is pivotally connected to bar l2, as by a pin element 5, and is positioned thereby in forward side abutting relation to the bight thereof for verticall swinging movement about a horizontal axis extending centrally longitudinally of the tractor.

`Similar bar members E6 are detachably secured in abutting relation to the rear sides of theopposite end portions of bar i4 for selective adjustment longitudinally thereof so as to vary the tread spacing of the front wheels H. The forward end portions of tubular frame members 8 are additionally braced by a rigid generally triangular shaped plate member l' having its apex or forward end portion and also opposite side portions thereof turned down to form front and side walls i8 and is, respectively, the rear end portions of walls IS side abutting the forward end portions of tubular frame members t and being welded or otherwise xedly secured thereto. Bar I4Y is also braced by a curved rod 2l having its midportion pivotally connected with the apex portion of plate member Il at 22 and having bifurcated opposite end portions 23 xedly connected, as by welding, with the top and bottom edges of the outer portions of bar i4. It is to be understood that thel axes of the pivots 5 and 22 are coaxially related to allow free vertical swinging movement of thefrontaxle structure. The outer end of each bar member i6 mounts a wheel standard 24 in depending relation thereto for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The lower extremities of standards 24 each present an. outwardly extending spindle 23 rotatably mounting a front wheel il while the upper ends of these standards are provided with arms 2li operatively connected through similar telescoping links 23 with a worm gearsteering mechanism 2Q for effecting simultaneous turning movement of front wheels i E. It is to be understood that the steering mechanism includes a rearwardly extending shaft Si which mounts a steering wheel 33 disposed within easy reach of an operator sitting at station l.

A rigid transverse cross bar 33 lis secured to the underside of the forward portions of tubular frame members t, immediately to the rear of triangular plate member il, by means of suitable clamps 34. Bar 33 is generally parallel to the transverse axle bar ill and preferably projects equal distances to either side of the frame members t. A similar hanger member is secured on each end portion of bar 33 for adjustment longitudinally thereof, and presents. anupwardly extending arm and a depending 4arm Si. The upper arm 35 of each hanger pivotally mounts a rearwardly extending link 38, and the lower arm 3l' of each hanger pivotally mounts a rearwardly extending link 33. The rear ends of upper and lower links and 33, respectively, are pivotally connected with. vertically spaced portions of a rigid link iii which extends beneath lower link 39 and terminates in a forwardly projecting end portion 2 having a clamp means associated therewith for the reception of a rectangular tool frame bar. It is to be understood that the laterally spaced hangers, one on each side of the tractor, are in transverse alignment relative to the longitudinal axis of the tractor, and that the clamp means depending therefrom are similarly aligned. A transverse rock shaft 43 is rotatably mounted on the top side of. tractor frame members t by means of a pair of brackets 44 secured to the latter in any suitable manner. Rock shaft 3 .is disposed in generally vparallel relation to bars i4 and 33 and has its opposite end portions similarly bent at a right. angle to its longitudinal axis so as to form crank or lift arms :it positioned in forwardly and downwardly extending relation with respect to the' main. por.- tion of this shaft andgenerally alongside the inner or tractor side of the adjacent upper link 38. Preferably shaft 43 is a fabricated structure comprising atubular mainelement telescopically receiving separate crank elements (note Fig. 4) for selectively positioning arms .43. to conform with any selected adjustment of theY .similar hanger member mounted .on bar, 33. The free end of each lift arm 45 has an operative lost motionv connection with an intermediate portion of the adjacent one of the links 39, this connection being a well known type comprising a pivot block 4l, a lift rod 4S slidably extending through block 4l, a `pin 4e preventing withdrawal of rod 48 from block 4l, and .a compression spring 5i surrounding the intermediate portion of rod 48.

A notched quadrant 52 and a lever. 53 mounting a quadrant engaging latch 54 are operatively associated with rock shaft 43 for actuating and maintaining this shaft in any selected position to thereby vadjust the vertical position of clamp means 53 relative to the frame members 8. Preferably lever 53 extends rearward to a point within easy reach of an operator seated at station l. it should now be obvious that parts 56 may be considered as underslung vertically adinstable implement supports.

An elongated rigid draft bar el, rectangular in cross section, is mounted on supports '56 for movement therewith and positioned thereby to extend transversely of the tractor in underslung relation thereto and in symmetrical relation relative to the longitudinal axis of the tractor. A pair of similar tool rigs are detaohably mounted on outer portions of draft bar 5i so as to travel centrally between two crop rows planted on the top surface of adjacent beds separated by a ditch orfurrow therebetween, as best shown in Fig. 3. Each rig'comprises an elongated tool frame 58 having a rigid upstanding plate like part 59 disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of fabricated links 6| and 62 hav-ing their rear ends pivotally connected with vertically spaced portions 63 and 64 of part 59, and a rigid plate like part 66 having vertically spaced pivot mountings 61 and .68 connected with and supporting the forward ends of links 6| and 62. These links are of substantiallyeq'ual length, and the vertical spacing of their points of pivotal connection with rigid parts 59 and 66 are preferably such as to form a parallel linkage. An intermediate portion of parts 66, that is, a portion intermediate the pivot mountings 61 and 68 is provided with a forwardly projecting clam-p means 69 detachably securing the tool rig to the draft bar 51 for adjustment along the longitudinal axis thereof. It should be readily apparent that links 6| and 62 afford a vertical movement of rigid part 59 relative to part 66 and that, conversely, these links also afford a vertical movement of draft bar 51 and part 66 relative to part 59. Also, it should be apparent that the extent to which parts 56 'and draft bar 51 can be moved vertically upward relative to part 59 is necessarily limited since in order to effectively raise the tool rig or rigs by actuation of lever 53, the support therefor must be capable of ypicking up and lifting the rig or rigs clear of the ground a suicient distance practical for all purposes of normal use, including transport purposes. In the constructionherein shown, this is accomplished by providing rigid part 66 with a projection 1| positioned to engage the underside of link 6| as draft'bar 51 and part 66 are moved vertically upward a predetermined distance relative to part 59. f

|I'ool frame 5'8 is formed of bar stock and comprises a pair of similar bars 12 which are ixedly bolted or otherwise secured to opposite sides of the lower portion of rigid plate-like part 59 in side abutting parallel relation thereto. Bars 12 have a portion 13 extending to the rear of part 59 in uniformly spaced parallel relation as determined by the thickness -of part 59 and by a spacer plate 14 of like thickness. Bars 14 also have a portion 16 extending forwardly of part 59 in the above mentioned uniformly spaced relation a distance sufcient to mount thereon a pair of laterally extending tool bars 11 each carrying a depending ground working tool 18.

Toolbars 11 are rectangular in transverse crossV section and each has a longitudinal slot 19 therethrough for adjustably attaching same to frame 58, the attaching means comprising a bolt 8| which passes between frame bars 12, and a coacting clamping part 82 which receives bolt 8| and engages the underside of the tool bar. The particular manner of tool bar attachment is not of particular significance and a further description of this feature is deemed unnecessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. However it should be understood that each tool bar is adjustable laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of frame 58.

The forward portions of frame bars 12 are oppositely laterally offset to form a bifurcated front end 83. A gauge wheel 84 is disposed in the space between the bifurcations and is rotatably supported on a transverse boltlike spindle or 'shaft 86 carried by depending platelike hangers 81 bolted or otherwise secured to the inner opposite sides of the bifurcated front end 83. Hangers `81 are provided wth aligned vertical slots 88 therethrough receiving boltlike shaft 86,`

the latter being vertically adjustable in slots 88 to thereby vertically vary the position of the gauge wheel relative to frame 53. The rear frame portion 13 mounts a ground working tool 89 having an upstanding shank 9|, rectangular in transverse cross section, which is rmly clamped between frame portions 13 with its forward edge 92 abutting the vertical rear edge of spacer plate 14.

Also mounted on draft bar '51 are four bed shaving tools each comprising a shank 93 and a depending blade 94, the shank portion of the tool being secured to draft bar 51 for adjustment longitudinally thereof by means of a known type clamp connector 96. These tools are arranged in pairs and the tools of each pair are laterally spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the top surface of a bed and the blades 94 are shaped and mounted on shank portions 93 so as to conform with and scrape the opposite sides or shoulders of the bed therebetween. If desired, the forward portion of each tool frame 518 may be provided with a shield 91 enclosing the forward side of the gauge wheel.

As previously indicated, draft bar 51 is mounted on a pair of vertically adjustable underslung supports 56 carried by substantially parallel links 38 and 39, the latter having a well known type of lost motion connection, including a compression spring 5|, with lift arms 46. Therefore, if the bed shaving tools be suitably mounted on draft bar 51 and lever 53 be moved to a vposition whereby the tool rigs are free to float or swing vertically relative to bar 51 and independently of each other in conformity with vertical undulations in the top surface of the beds and whereby the bed shaving blades are positioned to shave the entire sides of the beds, then the above Amentioned spring will be compressed to some such extent as indicated in Fig. l.

Depending on the condition of the soil and on the magnitude of the pressure of spring 5l, the bed shaving tools 94 may occupy the working positions in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 3, or they may rise or fall from those positions during advance movement of the tractor."

Falling movement of the bed shaving tools will be limited by engagement of block 41 with pin 49, and in that limit condition travel of the traetor wheels I on vertically undulating ditch bottom surfaces will cause corresponding up` and down movements of the draft bar 51 and its associated bed shaving tools relative to the top surfaces of the beds underlying the draft bar. Rise and fall of the bed shaving tools 94 as the depth of the wheel traveled ditch or furrow varies, insures a complete shaving of the sides of the beds independently of the floating action of the tool rig running between the crop rows in the top of the bed. Furthermore, it will be seen that forward or rearward actuation of lever 53 by the operator results respectively in lowering or elevating supports '56, which mount draft bar 51 for movement therewith. And, since the bed shaving tools are fixedly attached to draft bar 51 for movement therewith, it should be apparent that these tools are likewise vertically adjustable through operation of lever 53. It will also be seen that the depth to which the top of the beds is worked depends on the vertical spacing of gauge wheel spindle 86 relative to tool frame 53, and that this spacing may be varied materially (providing .the lo'Wer-edgeof upperlink 6I is not engagedwith or'just about to engage stop projection ll) by adjusting'the position of-gauge Wheel spindle Bin the aligned vertical slots 8a in hangers Sil. Since, as previously indicated, tool frame 5S is attached -to draft bar 'ilthrough parallel linkageV 5i and 62 affording relative vertical movement between -the draft bar and part 59, it should bev apparent thatnorm'ally,'that is, so long Yas the bottom edge of link 6I does not engage the projection 'il on part 66, the bed'shaving tools arevertically adjustable overa fairly wide'range Without arfecting the working depth of the tools positioned to work the-top surface of the bed, and that normally the working depth of the bed Working tools last mentioned is adjustable over a fairly Wide range Without aecting the vertical position of the bed shaving tools.

lt should be obvious that although the apparatus herein disclosed as embodying the invention-hasy particular utility in the planting and cultivation of vegetable crops, certain. features are of more general application andthat, therefore, it is not intended. to limit the invention to the'exact constructionand combination herein shown and described for purposes of illustration asv Various modifications Within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons' skilled in the art.'

It isclaimed and `desired to secure by Letters Patent:

i. A bed cultivating and shaving machine comprising, in combination, a tractor mountinga pair oi dirigible front Wheels laterally spaced apart to travel in generally parallel ditches boundingone or more row crop beds underlying said tractor,4 an elongated draft member carried by Ya portion of said tractor adjacent the mountingr of said wheels and positionedl to extend iaterally beneath said tractor portion in generally' parallel relation to the axes of said Wheels andA in vertically spaced relation to the top `surface of a bed between said ditches, a pair of bed shaving tools mounted on said draft memberr in veri;

tically iixed depending positions and in laterally spacedV relation with respect to each other for trimming lthe side Walls of said bed, a tool rig frame .positioned intermediate said pair of bed shaving tools and suspended from said draft f1:

member through means aifording vertical floating movement ci said frame relative to saidl working tools, so that the Working depth of said bed Working tools will be gauged automatically and independently of said draft member and bed shaving tools in accordance with vertical undulations of said bed top surface.

2. A bed cultivating and shaving machine comprising, in combination, a tractor mounting a,

pair of laterally spaced dirigible Wheels supporting the front end thereof, a pair of implement supports depending in laterally aligned relation from a portion of said tractor adjacent the mounting for said Wheels, a rigid draft bar vse`-A cured to said supports and extending trans-1' versely beneath said tractor to Vpointsadjacent-. the rear of said Wheels so thatmtravelfy o'f'vsaid,

Wheels Von vertically undulatingditchbottom faces will cause up and 'down`movement of said.

draft bar relative to the top surfaceV of a bed underlying said draft bar, a 'pair' of bed shaving tools mounted on said draft bar invertically fixed depending positions and in laterally spaced relation with respect to each other for trim-y ming the side walls of said bed, `a tool rig frame positioned intermediater said-pair of bed shaving toolsand'connected withsaid draft 'bar through a linkage' affording vertical floating movementiof said frame relativey to said draft bar,'one or more bed Working tools-mounted on said frame in vertically fixed relation thereto and positioned thereby between and in laterally :spaced relation to said'bed shaving tools, and a nected with said draft membery for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the latter relative to said tractor, so that the working positions of said bed' shaving tools Imay be radjusted independently of said bed Working tools.

4. A bed cultivating and shaving machine comprising, pair of dirigible front wheels laterally spaced apart to travel v in generally parallel ditches bounding one or more rovvfcrop bedsY underlying said tractor, an elongated draft'member carried by a portion of said tractor adjacent the mounting of said Wheels and positioned to extend laterally beneath said tractor portion in generally parallel'relation tothe axeslof saidwheels and in vertically spaced relation to the bottom surfaces of Ysaid ditches-and to the top surface of a bed therebetvveen'soV that said draft member will be moved up 'anddovvn in accordance with vertical undulations of said ditch bottomsurfaces, a=pair of bed shaving tools mounted on said draft member in vertically fixed` depending positions and in laterally spaced relation with rerelation thereto and positioned therebybetween and in laterally spaced relationv to said bed shaving tools, and a gauge elementpositioned in contacting relation to said bed top surface generally in the line of travel of said bed working tools and mounted on said frame for selective adjustment thereon to different vertically fixed positions so thatfthe Working positions of said bed shavingtods and of said bed working tools may be la'djustediindependently of each other and so thatithevvorking depths of said bed working tools will". be gauged automatically in response to ver- ,tical/undulations ofv said bed top `surface and i in combination,`a'tractor mountingl ar 9 independently of said up and down movements of said draft member and bed shaving tools.

5. A bed cultivating and shaving machine as set forth in claim 4 and wherein said tool rig frame is connected with said draft bar through a pair of upper and lower parallel links, and Wheren said gauge element is mounted on said tool rig frame forwardly of said bed working tools;

References Cited in the` le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 10 Number 1o Name Date Johnson Feb. 6, 19134 Tuft Mar. 14, 1939 Luttichau Jan. 7, 19241 Graham May 23, 1944 Luger Jan. 30, 19,",45 Brown Sept. 14, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date l Great Britain Mar. 18, 1926 France July 19, 1943 

